The Magnetic Telescope
Max Fleischer/Famous Studios
April 24, 1942 [7:38]


This movie is part of the collection: Animation Shorts

Audio/Visual: sound, color
Keywords: Superman; cartoon; animation; Max Fleischer; Fleischer; Famous Studios

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Reviewer: infopablo00 - - August 25, 2006
Subject: super cool
A super cool cartoon, with impressive visual technique.

Reviewer: Buffalodavid - - November 15, 2005
Subject: Scope This!
As the rest of the Superman Cartoons go, most people give this a C minus, but I disagree. It stands up well, (if your willing to forgive the scientific incorrectness of the plot) with some great lighting effects and a villain who's not really a villain.

The first surprise is the Title Card. As it comes up, the usual theme music is interrupted by the dull buzz of the magnetic scope. As the credits continue, the music returns. Neat effect.

One of the worth noting are when Lois looks thru the viewfinder in the darkened laboratory. Her face is lit by the glow of the approaching comet.

On to the villain who's not a villain. I know I'll be accused of splitting hairs (and the villain isnÂt our old pal Lex), but when we see a scientist in a white coat in something like this heÂs usually crazy as a third coat of paint, but this guys different.

Yes things go wrong, but not entirely because of him but, because of the police intervention, rendering the device uncontrollable.

One plot point that I had trouble with, (yes I know, the whole things absurd, but IÂm willing to suspend some disbelief) When Kent finds out about the trouble at the observatory and Lois is in trouble, what does he do? Instead of changing into the blue tights and flying to the rescue, he get a cab !

Bud Collyer did the voice for these cartons as well as the made for TV cartoons in the sixties and played the Man of Tomorrow on the Radio, making him the only actor to play the roll in three mediums.

Reviewer: Christine Hennig - - November 14, 2005
Subject: Keep This Away from Computer Hardware
A mad scientist creates a giant magnet that brings celestial bodies down from the sky. The police try to destroy it just as he is in the process of bringing down a cometÃÂÃÂthis causes the comet to spin out of control and threaten to destroy the earth! Superman comes to the rescue. Lois Lane doesn't make any stupid mistakes in this oneÃÂÃÂshe just gets to throw the "REVERSE" switch on the telescope at the right moment. This made me think of the standard Warner Brother's gag of a rocket going backwards into the ground, after which Daffy Duck shouts "Oops! Had the silly thing in reverse!" This is otherwise a pretty ordinary Superman cartoon, though.
Ratings: Camp/Humor Value: *. Weirdness: **. Historical Interest: ***. Overall Rating: **.